Sign in
FR NL EN DE ZH
Sign in
All beer trips

Bologna · Emilia-Romagna · Italy

Bologna

Italy's secret craft beer capital

BEER CITY 2/3 2 days

See the itinerary On the map

beBeer Events Brussels Express

About this trip

Bologna is far more than a food capital. Behind its centuries-old porticoes and medieval towers, the city hides one of the most dynamic craft beer scenes in Italy. From micro-brewer Birra Cerqua, tucked into a city-centre alley, to the social project Vecchia Orsa, combining inclusion and fermentation, every brewery tells a deeply Bolognese story. This BeerTrip takes you through the city's best craft bars, breweries and brewing experiences, where tortellini and IPA coexist in perfect harmony. Via del Pratello, Via Mascarella, Piazza Maggiore: birra artigianale awaits around every corner.

beBeer's verdict

Bologna surprised us. We came for the tortellini, we stayed for the birra artigianale. The city has that rare energy: a craft scene growing without taking itself too seriously, driven by passionate people like Stefano at Cerqua or Vecchia Orsa's social project. The Pratello is a brewing mile that rivals the best craft districts in Europe. And when you pair a local IPA with a real Bolognese ragù, you understand why this city is Italy's secret beer capital. Go before everyone finds out.

Where to go

Brewery 4

  1. 01

    Birra Cerqua

    Via Broccaindosso, 5c, 40125 Bologna BO, Italia

  2. 02

    Birrificio Zapap

    Via Mascarella, 34b, 40126 Bologna BO, Italia

  3. 03

    Birrificio Vecchia Orsa

    Via C.Colombo 5/A, 40017 S.Giovanni in Persiceto, Italie

  4. 04

    Birrificio Statale Nove

    Via Cassoletta, 86, 40056 Crespellano BO, Italia

Bars & Taprooms 5

  1. 05

    Birreria Popolare

    Via dal Luzzo, 4a, 40125 Bologna BO, Italia

  2. 06

    L'Ortica

    Via Mascarella, 26/B, 40126 Bologna BO, Italia

  3. 07

    Astral Beers Pub

    Via Castiglione, 13b, 40124 Bologna BO, Italia

  4. 08

    Il Punto

    Via S. Rocco, 1g, 40122 Bologna BO, Italia

  5. 09

    Beer for Bunnies

    FFXG+J5 Les Bons Villers, Bélgica

Your itinerary

  1. Day 1

    The historic heart and its breweries

    Morning

    1. 10h00
      — Walk under Bologna's porticoes, Piazza Maggiore and Basilica di San Petronio
    2. 11h30
      — Visit and tasting at Birra Cerqua — the city's first brewpub, Via Broccaindosso

    Afternoon

    1. 13h00
      — Pizza and beer lunch at Zapap Pratello, Via del Pratello
    2. 15h00
      — Stroll along Via del Pratello — Bologna's nightlife street
    3. 16h00
      — Craft stop at Beer for Bunnies — pick your bottles to go

    Evening

    1. 18h30
      — Aperitivo and tagliere at Birreria Popolare — 14 taps facing the Due Torri
    2. 21h00
      — Last beers at Astral Beers Pub, Via Castiglione
  2. Day 2

    University quarter and social project

    Morning

    1. 10h00
      — Climb the Due Torri (Torre degli Asinelli) — panoramic city views
    2. 11h30
      — Head to Via Mascarella: craft and natural wines at L'Ortica

    Afternoon

    1. 13h00
      — Spent-grain piadine lunch at Vecchia Orsa Moline — the social brewpub
    2. 15h00
      — Walk through the university quarter, Europe's oldest university (1088)
    3. 16h30
      — Detour to Il Punto to explore their lambic and sour collection

    Evening

    1. 19h00
      — Return to Via del Pratello for a final craft crawl
    2. 21h00
      — Late dinner and last discoveries in the city-centre bars

Practical information

Best period
April to June and September to October. Summer is hot but terraces are magical. In September, don't miss the MicroBo Beer Festival.
Events
MicroBo Beer Festival (September) · Birrai Eretici (spring) · Vecchia Orsa & Friends (summer)
Budget per day
€40-60 (craft beer €5-7/pint, pizza €8-12, full meal €20-30)
Getting around
Everything is walkable in the historic centre. Out-of-town breweries (Statale Nove, Vecchia Orsa) require a bus or car.
Accommodation
The historic centre, between the Due Torri and the station, is ideal. Budget: €80-150/night.
Beer tip
Birra artigianale = craft beer · Alla spina = on draft · Spillatura = pouring · Trebbie = spent grain
Food pairings
Tortellini in brodo + Blonde · Tagliatelle al ragù + Amber Ale · Mortadella + Weiss · Tigelle + IPA

What you shouldn't miss

  1. 01

    First pint at Cerqua

    Craft beer at zero metres

    Order a freshly poured Desert Sun in the tiny brewpub where the tanks are visible from the counter.

  2. 02

    Sunset on Piazza Maggiore

    The golden hour

    Beer in hand, watch the sunset gilding the Basilica di San Petronio. The quintessential Bolognese moment.

  3. 03

    Night crawl on Pratello

    Italy's best pub crawl

    From Beer for Bunnies to Zapap, Via del Pratello transforms into a craft beer mile after 9 PM.

  4. 04

    Spent-grain piadina

    Zero waste, 100% flavour

    Taste the piadina made with brewing spent grain at Vecchia Orsa: circular economy and unique flavour.

  5. 05

    View from Torre degli Asinelli

    Bologna from above

    97 metres and 498 steps to tower above Bologna's red rooftops. Descend with a well-earned thirst.

  6. 06

    Lambics at Il Punto

    Bologna's sour secret

    Discover Il Punto's collection of lambics and Italian sours, a hidden treasure in the Saragozza quarter.

On the map

Plan your trip to Bologna

Save this trip, explore more cities or build your own itinerary across Europe's brewing scene.

Explore other trips Browse brewing cities